Dennis Nett / The Post-StandardNew York Jets fullback John Conner (38), from the University of Kentucky, stretches before the start of practice earlier this week at SUNY Cortland.

Duty called New York Jets rookie fullback John Conner earlier this week, and he was there to answer.

Veteran fullback Tony Richardson decided that this was a day when he needed a little help after a long morning practice at SUNY Cortland, so he asked the newcomer to carry his shoulder pads off the field. Conner executed his rookie rite of passage without a peep.

“Oh, man, it’s just part of the job,” Conner said. “I guess when he feels like it (he’ll do it). I have to accept the role.”

Conner established he can lug Richardson’s gear with ease. Could carrying out his own responsibilities in his first year in the NFL be just as simple? Some sore Jets defensive players are lining up on Conner’s behalf.

One reason that Conner was in such a good mood playing helper was that just a few minutes earlier he laid what New York coach Rex Ryan said was his best hit of the camp on linebacker Kenwin Cummings. It was a draw play, with the 5-11, 246-pound Conner isolating on the 6-3, 250-pound Cummings.

Let’s just say the test of wills did not end well for Cummings. Conner has been nicknamed “The Terminator” since he can remember because he shares the name of a character from the movie with that title.

“It’s a good name for a fullback to have,” Conner said.

But that was fiction and this is the real NFL, and when Conner says he’ll be back he means it.

“He smoked him,” Ryan said of Conner’s hit on Cummings. “This kid has a talent for running through people. That’s what this guy brings us.”

And it’s exactly why Conner is stomping his way through Jets training camp in the first place.

Conner played his college ball at Kentucky. Ryan said he was watching film of a defensive player on another team when all he saw was Conner turning the guy into a manhole cover.

Ryan said that GM Mike Tannenbaum gives him one chip to use on a pick every draft. I want Conner, Ryan said. New York grabbed him in the fifth round.

In name, the Jets were getting a fullback. In personality, New York landed an offensive lineman, linebacker and tight end, all positions that Conner played when he was younger and that cultivated his craving for contact.

“That’s just the mentality I’ve always had. I’ve been taught to show the other team you are there every play,” Conner said. “I’m not going to lie. It’s a good feeling. It’s just one thing as a fullback you have to accept. It’s like a touchdown for us.”

Like most fullbacks in today’s pro and college offenses, Conner has only sampled that accomplishment. In 54 career games at Kentucky he got 53 carries for 245 yards and four touchdowns. Yet that’s the kind of coursework that prepared him well for what the Jets have in mind.

Richardson, 38, carried only seven times for 48 yards and no touchdowns for New York last year. His much greater value was playing the wrecking ball that chipped away at defensive linemen and linebackers, parting the way for Thomas Jones. This season, Richardson, Conner and Jason Davis are playing bumper cars trying to win the right to do the same for Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson.

“We’re making each other better. He’s been in the league. He gives us a lot of advice, just little technique things,” Conner said of Richardson.

“Tony is obviously a very talented guy. And he’s got the experience,” Ryan said. “But is he being pushed by (Conner)? Certainly. This guy is turning heads.”

The men that Conner has been bruising in practice say something different resonates about him. A lot of players who line up in NFL backfields have the ability to knock over a few bowling pins. Conner, they point out, harkens back to the old mold of fullbacks, someone who is mentally and physically constructed for that role.

“Most fullbacks are glorified tailbacks who can’t keep their weight down. He has the ability to be in a rare class if he works hard,” said Jets linebacker Bart Scott.

“He’s a guy who is willing to throw the body in there,” said safety Jim Leonhard. “He’s a throwback fullback. He wants to hit you, which is impressive.”

In Conner’s role, that’s the only way to keep score.

“It’s a physical game,” he said. “The most physical person is going to win.”